The other night as my husband and I were driving home from our small group meeting we were listening on the radio to Chuck Swindoll speaking about John Mark. We read in Acts chapter 13 that John Mark assisted Paul and Barnabas on a mission trip. After they had ministered in a couple of towns, John Mark left them and returned home to Jerusalem. We do not know if he was homesick, the trip was too strenuous of if there was a conflict.

Later in Acts chapter 15, we read that when Paul and Barnabas were going to leave on another mission trip. Barnabas had faith in John Mark and wanted to take him along again but Paul strongly disagreed. After their sharp disagreement Barnabas separated from Paul took Silas and Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.

We don’t read in Acts about Barnabas and John Mark’s trip but we know that he is the same one who wrote the Gospel of Mark, the first gospel written of the four gospels. I was inspired with this story because it was an example of how God gives people a second chance and blesses them.

Many grandparents get discouraged as they see their grandchildren make bad choices. However, I would like to encourage them to continue to pray for them and encourage them because God can make something good out of their lives; he is an expert life transformer. We read in God’s Word, “If we confess out sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all wrong.” ¹ “God can transform us into a new person.” ²

Pray your grandchildren will be drawn to Jesus with gentle cords of love and experience the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives, as they grow strong in their faith.

¹ I John 1:9

² Romans 12:2

© Lillian Penner 2012